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Mariners likely to start Lachlan Wales against Melbourne City
Central Coast Mariners youngster Lachlan Wales. Picture: Troy Snook
Central Coast Mariners youngster Lachlan Wales. Picture: Troy Snook
Central Coast coach Paul Okon is expected to hand rising star Lachlan Wales his starting debut as the gravely depleted Mariners strive to keep their finals hopes alive against Melbourne City at Central Coast Stadium tomorrow.
A local junior, Wales has had just 69 minutes of A-League experience — a four-minute cameo last season and successive substitute appearances in the 1-1 draw against Melbourne Victory last week and 46 minutes in the 2-0 loss against Newcastle Jets in the F3 derby on Tuesday.
But with his hand forced through injuries, suspensions and players away on international duty, Okon believes the 20-year-old attacking midfielder from Wamberal is ready to make an impact from the start against a City side that have found their form with a hat-trick of wins.
Wales shone when he came on at halftime against the Jets, showing no nerves and a willingness to use his speed and skill, including trying a number of stepovers, to trouble the Jets defence.
The week before he was heavily involved in engineering the goal for Blake Powell, which earned the Mariners a draw with Victory.
“Lachy is doing very well. His performances in the National Youth League have been excellent and he has done well when he has come on in the A-League,” Okon said. “He is a fit young boy and has plenty of confidence. He has plenty of quality and it is no surprise he has performed the way he has.
“For him, he has to now maximise every opportunity he gets and Sunday is a big chance he will start. If he does, or comes off the bench, I am quite comfortable he will make a significant contribution.
“Lachy is a great story and the fact he is a local makes it even better.”
Wales will be one of several changes to the Mariners’ line-up, though Okon was coy when asked about the final make-up of his starting XI. He will be without injured Wout Brama and Connor Pain, who were both forced off before halftime against the Jets, while Josh Rose and Andrew Hoole are suspended. The Mariners are already without Danny De Silva, Thomas Glover and Trent Buhagiar, who are all away on international duty with the Olyroos.
Further complicating the issue is that the Gosford-based club have had a difficult period with fixture scheduling. They backed up against the Jets just three days after playing in the oppressive heat against Melbourne Victory in Geelong.
Now they have a five-day turnaround to the City match.
“It’s a tough situation for us with all those players absent plus the schedule,” Okon said. “We always knew it would be hard with so many games in a short period of time. Our stocks, physical fitness and mentality will be tested, but I have a lot of belief in these boys and that they can get the job done.”
Okon said he took great heart despite the loss to the Jets after playing with 10 men for the last 18 minutes following the sending off of Josh Rose.
“I don’t think anyone would argue that we were in total control until the send-off, but in the end we were our own worst enemy in that we didn’t convert the many chances we had,” he said.
“But the boys fought very hard on a three-day turnaround ... the energy and intensity was tremendous.
“Even down to 10 we still found a little in the tank to create opportunities.
“Still, it only encourages the boys to keep going and, hopefully, these key moments will turn around for us.”
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/mariners-likely-to-start-lachlan-wales-against-melbourne-city/news-story/7f413ad58ca87106c91197d17bdc976c